Moraga: Spotlight on preserved ranch land

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Hundreds of acres of lush former ranch land near Moraga is being preserved to help protect the Upper San Leandro Reservoir through a partnership between the East Bay Municipal Utility District and the John Muir Land Trust. (Laura A. Oda/Bay Area News Group)

Red-tail hawks glide over the newly purchased Carr Ranch land in the Moraga Hills. (Laura A. Oda/Bay Area News Group)

Linus Eukel, executive director of the John Muir Land Trust, left, points out features of the 604-acres of land that was recently purchased for preservation. (Laura A. Oda/Bay Area News Group)

A mix of wildflowers and grasses cover watershed land purchased by the East Bay Municipal Utility District. (Laura A. Oda/Bay Area News Group)

MORAGA — Acres of lush ranchland preserved by a unique partnership between a public agency and a conservation group was on dazzling display recently.

On March 15, representatives from the East Bay Municipal Utility District and John Muir Land Trust — joined by Moraga Mayor Teresa Onoda — toured the 604-acre Carr Ranch property EBMUD recently purchased from the Land Trust to help protect the Upper San Leandro Reservoir, which supplies drinking water to thousands of East Bay residents.

The former cattle ranch is being permanently preserved as watershed land, which will be managed by EBMUD. The John Muir Land Trust will oversee recreational use of the land, including hiking and wildlife viewing.

Smuin Ballet has always been known for presenting eclectic and inventive programs. That’s definitely the case with its current “Dance Series 01,” which comes to Mountain View Center for the Arts Feb. 22-25. It’s a diverse combination of works. “I like to think of it as three independent short stories that are on one program,” said Smuin artistic director Celia...